Welcome to the Chronic Pain Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

EN20-01 Knee Osteoarthritis Study

Are you ages 40-90? Have you had knee pain from osteoarthritis for at least the past 6 months? You may be able to participate in a study to find out if an investigational medicine called CNTX can treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA). Participation involves 10 visits over 6 months. Compensation is provided.

Arthritis

Chronic Pain

Other Injuries/Injury Prevention

AGE: 40-90

DURATION: 6 months

VISITS: 10

LOCATION: UPMC Pain Medicine at Centre Commons - Shadyside

COMPENSATION: $600

Shoulder Motion Study - Healthy Volunteers

Are you between the ages of 18-30 without shoulder problems and willing to participate in a research study on healthy shoulder motion that will provide a better understanding of the loss and restoration of shoulder stability in patients with anterior shoulder instability? The long-term goal of this research is to improve the functional outcome for patients with anterior shoulder instability.

Arthritis

Bones, Joints, and Muscles

DURATION: 4 Hours

VISITS: 3 or less

LOCATION: Medical imaging department at UPMC Presbyterian or UPMC Mercy and at the University of Pittsburgh Biodynamics Lab.

COMPENSATION: $210

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

OPTIMUM Research Study

Are you bothered by chronic low back pain? You may be able to participate in a research study to find out if group mindfulness meditation sessions, coordinated with your primary care provider, can help reduce chronic low back pain. This study involves surveys, an interview, and monthly virtual visits. Some participants will also attend weekly online group sessions. Compensation is provided.

Chronic Pain

Featured Research

Other Injuries/Injury Prevention

Other Wellness and Lifestyle

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: About 1 year

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: Up to $265

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

You may be able to change the future of medicine. The All of Us PA Research Program is enrolling adults 18 years of age or older. This may be your chance to improve how your children and your children’s children receive medical care.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

TREETOP Engagement Study

Is chronic pain impacting your life? Have you ever used opioid pain medication? You may be eligible for a research study developing a personalized pain-self management program for patients. Compensation is provided.

Chronic Pain

Remote Research

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 1 hour

VISITS: Phone interview

COMPENSATION: $50

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth – COVID-19 Stories

Participants are invited to share how they are maintaining their health during the coronavirus pandemic, or to share what it is like being ill with COVID-19 and/or caring for a loved one who is ill with COVID-19. Participation in this research study involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

DURATION: About 45 minutes

VISITS: No in-person visits

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: $10 gift card/story with a maximum of 2 stories, for a total of $20

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Interested in sharing your story about health, illness, or research? Patients and caregivers are needed to participate in a research study to help learn more about topics that are important to you and that may improve health and health care. Participation involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $20

Chronic Low Back Pain with Mood Symptoms Study

Have you had chronic low back pain for at least six months and also have depression or anxiety symptoms? Are you aged 18-75? You may be able to participate in a research study to compare antidepressant medication and physical therapy for people with chronic low back who also have anxiety and depression symptoms. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 8 months

VISITS: 6-12 visits in the first 4 months

LOCATION: UPMC Pain Medicine Clinic - Shadyside, Online, & by Phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $220 & public transportation reimbursement

Spinal Cord Stimulation for the treatment of motor deficits in people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Are you affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy? You may be able to participate in a research study using spinal cord stimulation (SCS), an approved clinical therapy for pain syndromes that do not respond to drugs. Unexpectedly, SCS has shown the ability to promote the recovery of leg motor function in people with complete motor paralysis in consequence of spinal cord injury years after injury.

DURATION: 9 months

VISITS: 35 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian

COMPENSATION: $1750

Knee Osteoarthritis Pain Study

Are you 45-80 years old and have chronic knee pain associated with knee osteoarthritis? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out how the body responds to pain. This study involves one in-person visit that lasts about four hours. Compensation is provided

Arthritis

Chronic Pain

AGE: 45-80

DURATION: 4 hours

VISITS: 1

LOCATION: Shadyside Centre Commons

COMPENSATION: $75

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Bones, Joints, and Muscles